Holidays

The Jewish holidays are always special times at MBJC. On Rosh Hashana our congregation arrives with optimistic outlook and positive resolutions for the New Year. However, this is tempered by the fact that everyone is aware that he or she is being judged by the Almighty. This is followed by Yom Kippur which culminates the Ten Days of Repentance at the end of which the Books of Judgments are sealed. During these holidays both our main sanctuary containing 613 seats and our Outreach Service for the members of the community from the former Soviet Union, are filled to capacity. For Sukkot MBJC builds a huge sukkah in which meals are served and where a Simchat Beit Hashoeyva takes place. The holiday season concludes with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah which celebrations include dancing with MBJC’s Torahs in the street in front of the synagogue. The holidays of Chanukah and Purim include parties for children consisting of arts and crafts, a clown and/or a magician and a concert for adults. On Purim our members have the opportunity to join our Mishloach Manot project to demonstrate their close ties to other members as well as to raise funds for the synagogue. For Pesach MBJC has seders on the first two nights of the holiday for our members as well as a means of outreaching to other residents of the community. We celebrate Shavuot with a gala meal followed by lectures well into the night by prominent Rabbis and lecturers. All of our members and others who attend our holiday services and programs are spiritually uplifted by the experience.